The snow loading operation that began Sunday morning in Montreal will last four days. Such a measure is decreed when 10 to 15 cm of snow fall. Today, the City must clear 14 of them.
The operation is considered “major” by Philippe Sabourin, administrative spokesperson for the City of Montreal. More than 2,000 snow removal vehicles have been deployed to cover 10,000 km of streets, sidewalks and cycle paths.
“We’re in the Beijing Olympics, but that’s exactly the mileage we do! Montreal — Beijing is 10,460 km. It’s an opportunity for us to get a medal”, laughs Philippe Sabourin.
“Our priority is always the main roads where we will mainly find hospitals, schools, all public transport lines. This is done in the first hours of snow loading. Then we go to the more residential sectors,” explains Mr. Sabourin.
On social networks, citizens are wondering why snow removal did not start earlier, just after the snowfall. “What you might not realize is that the employees started working long before the storm on Friday. We salted the streets, spread graveluche to facilitate movement “after the freezing rain falls, answers Philippe Sabourin.
Taking a break on Saturday was more of a safety measure. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint. We take the time to do things right, and we had to give our drivers a rest,” adds the City employee.
No delay expected
Some boroughs have chosen to start snow removal this evening, at 7 p.m., “but what is certain is that at the end of the day, we will all be in the same tune,” announces Philippe Sabourin with confidence. “At the latest, Thursday, we will be in the last alley,” he says, adding that the main traffic axes will be “completely free” for the return to the city center tomorrow.
If the City plans to complete its operation on time, it is also thanks to the cooperation of citizens, underlines Mr. Sabourin. Since the pandemic, the number of hourly tows performed during snow removal has almost halved. It is estimated that each towed vehicle delays the operation by 10 minutes.
Citizens can consult the INFO-Neige mobile application, or the city’s website, to follow the status of the load live. Garbage collections will take place as planned, even if the City invites citizens to place garbage cans “at the edge, near the house” so as not to block the path of snowplows.
Warmth to come
If the winter has so far been cold and little snowy, a slight thaw is to come in the coming days, according to Mr. Sabourin. The opportunity for winter lovers to enjoy the ice rinks, parks, or even take part in the snowman competition organized by the City.
The administrative spokesperson recalls that young people under the age of 17 can borrow winter equipment for free in nature parks.